Today the Calgary Flames announced Brian Burke, who has served as the President of Hockey Operations for the better part of five years, will be stepping away from the organization May 1st.
Here's an excerpt from the team's press release providing a little more detail:
“When Brian came to us in September 2013 we discussed a structure and timeline of four to five years for his new role. Each year we review our mandate going forward and determined together that we would move on,… said Ken King, CSEC President & CEO. “Brian’s leadership and guidance of our hockey operations and work with General Manager Brad Treliving have been exemplary and we are grateful for his contributions. His charity work and organizational representation in our community are legendary as he has touched so many with his generosity.…
To me, this seems like a polite firing. Maybe the organization felt it was time for a new voice in upper management. Maybe they disagreed with his view on how to get the team back on track. Maybe it's just a shake up to show last season was unacceptable.
Whatever the case, the timing of the move suggests they didn't want Burke to be a part of any off-season decisions made pertaining to player personnel.
Where Burke goes here remains to be seen. I'm sure he has enough experience and connections to find a job elsewhere if he wants to remain in hockey.
Media work is apparently also an option.
Update: it's more than an option.
Sportsnet hockey coverage adding a little "truculence" in studio with the addition of @Burkie2020 starting tomorrow.https://t.co/8HbAgh5c2I
— Scott Moore (@MooreScottmoore) April 27, 2018
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